VACUUM CLEANINGThe Key To
Cleaner Carpets and a Healthier Home Environment

Believe it or not, the real key to
keeping your carpet looking good all the time is to vacuum often,
probably at least two to three times a week. Dry vacuuming can
remove as much as 80% of the soil in a carpet, especially the soil
in the high traffic areas. Thorough vacuuming in the high traffic
areas will go a long way toward keeping the traffic lanes from
getting matted and worn. These are the areas that can look so ugly
once they are worn and it ruins the appearance of the rest of the
house. Simple vacuum cleaning can add years of life to your carpet
and keep it looking good all the time.

Use should use a quality upright vacuum with a beater-bar revolving
brush that will dislodge the soil from the carpet nap. Use of a nap
brush or grooming rake prior to vacuuming will loosen up the dry
soil between the fibers, making it easier for the vacuum to remove
the soil. If you do not own a nap brush, you can usually obtain one
from your professional carpet cleaner. Your vacuum should be
equipped with the micro-lined anti-bacterial bags so as not to
redistribute the small particles and biopollutants that were just
vacuumed up. Keep the vacuum cleaner in good condition, changing the
disposable bag regularly.

General vacuuming should be performed in all open areas. More
detailed vacuuming is necessary in the high traffic areas, utilizing
slower strokes and turning the vacuum cleaner at a right angle for
an additional pass in an effort to remove as much dry soil as
possible. Placing doormats at entrances will help prevent
"tracked-in" dirt from accumulating in the carpet.

The soil that remains in the carpet after vacuuming is the oily soil
that clings to the fibers. This oily soil is usually removed by
professional cleaning or by do-it-yourself cleaning and with the use
of certain cleaning agents. Professional cleaners normally know the
difference between carpet spills (usually removable) and carpet
stains (usually not removable) and they carry various spotting
agents that can aid in the removal of spots. Your best time to try
to remove a spot or spill by yourself is as soon as possible after
it occurs. You chances are best while the spot is still wet. Refer
to our Stain Removal Chart for information on spot removal.

Professionally clean your carpet at least once every twelve to
eighteen months. Certainly do it before the traffic patterns begin
to show wear. It is always best to vacuum your carpet prior to the
carpet cleaner arriving, unless the carpet cleaner offers this as
part of his service. Many of them do. Just remember that by removing
the dry soil from your carpet at least a few times a week, you stand
the best chance of preserving the beauty of your carpet for years to
come. After cleaning, be sure to ventilate the area with fresh air
during the drying period and at least 24 hours after.